Consider Installing a New Fence When Selling Your Home

Having a nice deck outside your door provides you with a place to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine of the outdoors. Having a railing around the deck is not always a necessity. However, if you have children or pets, you will need to have some type of enclosure to keep them safe and a railing keeps you from having to move a pen or cage on and off the deck all the time. Of course, the best way to be sure everyone stays safe on the deck is with the proper railing. Consider the following when getting ready to order the materials.

Spacing

While there are often regulations about how far apart any rails should be, and how high the bottom should be from the deck, this may not be adequate for your needs. You need to be sure that small heads or other body parts cannot get stuck between or under the rails. You can either have more rails that are closer together or you can put plexiglass or some other solid material around the lower part of the railing. Using something solid will not only keep everyone safe but can also minimize the amount of dirt and debris that gets blown onto the deck.

Mounting

Ideally, have the railing installed before the deck floor is put down. This way, the rail posts can be connected to the inside of the frame instead of just attached to the flooring. It will provide more stability and make it harder to push the railing down. If you are having the railing installed after the deck is complete, it would be best to have more posts that attach to the decking than is required or suggested to provide the best protection.

Material

While a wood railing might look best on your wooden deck, keep in mind that hands, legs, and heads might be pushed through the rails. Be sure that any wood has been sealed and will not splinter. This will require regular sanding and/or sealing to keep everything smooth and splinter-free.

You want your whole family to be able to enjoy the deck. Especially if you plan on using it for meals or entertaining. Making sure that no part of the area will cause or allow anyone to be hurt should be an important part of the planning stage. Take your time and consider every aspect of the deck and railing before having it built. For more information, contact local professionals like Rainier Fencing & Decking.